African music is a huge category. I have primarily studied music of two geographical regions: West and Central Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, Guinea, Mali, Sengal, Gambia and Congo/Zaire.

Some of the major language groups whose music I have studied include: Eve, Akan, Ga, Yoruba, Ibo, Baga, Mandingo, Malinke, Bamina, and Kikongo as well as many related groups within these.

While I was in college I studied intensely from 1973 to1976 with Yoruba drummer A.O. Vidal. Through him I was exposed to Eve, Akan, Ibo, Yoruba and other music. I continued my studies from 1975 to 1979 with Eve drummer C.K. Ladzekpo at U. C. Berkeley who exposed me to the principle of speaking drum language while clapping bell or clave parts. In 1977 and 1978 I was apprentice to Eve drummer Kwaku Ladzekpo who taught me a basic repertoire of 15 Ghanaian rhythms. As the teachers aide, it was my responsibility to remember all the parts and calls. This wealth of authentic material has formed the basis of my understanding of African Music.

CENTRAL AFRICAN MUSIC:

In 1980 I began ten years of study of Congolese music and dance when I participated in a weekend workshop with Malonga Casquelourd, former lead dancer with the Congolese National Dance Company. Malonga's exciting combination of dance, song and drumming inspired me to pursue further study. A year later Master Congolese artists Titos Sompa and Mbemba Pangou arrived in the Bay Area and I regularly played for and with them at classes in Oakland and San Francisco. Shortly thereafter a group of students from Northern California created the first full scale Congolese Dance and Drum camp and I was one the main promoters. From 1982 to 1990 I played for dance classes in the Bay Area and Santa Cruz and at the yearly 10-day Congolese camp. I also took many dance classes and assisted in teaching drum classes. In 1988 I was invited, along with other students, to perform with Titos and Biza Sompa and other African artists at the Spirit of Africa festival in Santa Cruz.

In 1987 and 1988 I was percussionist and section leader for renowned Congolese guitarist/singer/composer Samba Ngo's band. We performed throughout Santa Cruz, the San Francisco Bay Area and the North Bay, including opening for world famous Nigerian Star King Sunny Ade.

I have produced a home multi-track recording of several Congolese rhythms which was well received by my teachers. My background studies in Ghanaian, Nigerian and Cuban drumming has helped me immensely in understanding Central African music.

DJEMBE and DUN DUN:

I began a serious study of Manding music (Music of the Ancient Mali Empire) in 1985 when I met Abdoulaye Diakite and Allasane Kane, formerly of the National Ballet of Senegal. Since that time I have played djembe, dun dun, shekere and talking drum for numerous dance classes with these and other master teachers. In 1994 I studied intensely with Guinean master drummer Mamady Keita and performed with him, Mabiba Bagne, Fred Simpson and other top drummers at the Matanga Festival in Santa Cruz, California. I have also attended more than forty days of drum and dance camps with such world class artists as Karamba Dambakate, Yousouff Koumbassa, Lansana Kouyate, Abdoul Doumbia among others. My background in Congolese, Ghanaian and Nigerian music has helped immensely in my understanding of Manding music. The African artists I have played with have been very complimentary and appreciative of my drumming. I play djembe and dun dun in Karamba Dambakate's instructional video "Journey into Rhythm."

All materials copyright 1998 PulseWave Percussion and Kim Atkinson.